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Oxford student stands up childhood bully who asked her out on a date as 'sweet, perfectly-timed revenge' goes viral

Louisa Manning has received an outpouring of support and congratulations from around the world

Adam Withnall
Sunday 07 December 2014 08:16 EST
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A student who was asked on a date by the boy who made her life miserable at school 10 years earlier has struck a victory for victims of bullying around the world – and been boosted to social media stardom in the process.

Louisa Manning, 22, bumped into the boy who made fun of her weight and called her “Manbeast” when they were at school together 10 years ago.

But he seemed to have forgotten the episode when he met her at an Oxford University Yule ball last week – and asked her out.

Ms Manning agreed to dinner – before turning up early to ask a waitress to hand the following picture and letter to the boy when he arrived.

The message, which has been liked more than 14,000 times and viewed by hundreds of thousands of people since it was posted to Facebook, read as follows:

“So sorry I can’t join you tonight.

“Remember year 8, when I was fat and you made fun of my weight? No? I do – I spent the following three years eating less than an apple a day. So I’ve decided to skip dinner.

“Remember the monobrow you mocked? The hairy legs you were disgusted by? Remember how every day for three years, you and your friends called me Manbeast? No perhaps you don’t – or you wouldn’t have seen how I look eight years later and deemed me f******* enough to treat me like a human being.

“I thought I’d send you this as a reminder. Next time you think of me, picture that girl in this photo, because she’s the one who just stood you up.”

In comments beneath the post, Ms Manning also revealed that the bully has since apologised. She claims he messaged her saying: “For what it's worth, I was actually here to meet up looking for a chance to meet up looking to make friends, not because you are very good looking. I guess I had it coming though, and certainly don't blame you for standing me up.

“I can't change who I was 8 years ago, and I won't insult your intelligence by pretending that it didn't happen, but I hope you believe me when I say I'm a completely different person now. I can only apologise and wish you the very best. I guess I won't hear from you again but I mean it when I say that I hope you have every success you deserve.”

Ms Manning’s post has received a huge international response online, including one message showing an angry Incredible Hulk beating up his enemies.

To that, she responded: “I don't condone violence.

“I do, however, condone holding 10-year-long grudges and then getting sweet, perfectly timed revenge.”

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